What is your relationship with running? For some people, it’s the perfect exercise match. They love everything about running. But for many of us, we have a love/hate relationship with running. We love the benefits of this form of exercise, but hate the actual idea of physically going through the motions. No matter how much we love or hate it, running remains appealing because of the low cost and the accessibility. All you need to do is invest in a pair of quality running shoes, step out your front door, and in a couple of strides be off and running. But if this simple task is sometimes a struggle, read on for some tips on how can you change your relationship with running to make it more fun.
Get Motivated with Music
Listening to music is one of the easiest and most popular ways to make your run more fun. You can personalize your playlist with music that motivates you to get up and go. If you get tired of the tracks you’ve been listening to, you can easily switch it up to suit your mood.
Build a Buddy System
Running is often thought of as a solo sport, but running with a friend or in a group can be extremely motivating and rewarding. Instead of meeting your friend for a cup of coffee, spend some quality time catching up over a morning run. If you’re training for a race, find a compatible running partner. It’s exciting to set a goal and to celebrate your achievements together. Most importantly, if you run with someone, you hold each other accountable, and you’re more likely to commit and follow through with runs you plan together.
Set Achievable Goals
You are setting up a relationship for failure if you have unrealistic expectations. Don’t set goals that intimidate you from the beginning. If running a marathon is on your bucket list, begin the training for a 5k. If you are new to running, making it all the way around the block without stopping may be a big achievement for you. The better you pace yourself along the way, the more successful you will be with longer runs down the road. And the more goals you accomplish will make you happier and more motivated to achieve your next goal, keeping your running relationship in perfect harmony.
Switch it up
To keep your runs from being too monotonous, try running in a different location, or change your purpose. Think of places you typically drive to and see if any of them are places you could run to, like a friend’s house or to the post office. Changing where and why you run can reenergize your running relationship.
Reward yourself
Where is the fun in running if you never reward yourself? If you set a goal and achieve it, treat yourself to a massage at a local spa, or splurge on tickets to a fun sporting event. Or try picking an exciting location for your next race instead of the annual Turkey Trot through your town. Stay an extra couple of days to turn your race weekend into a mini-vacation. You deserve it!
Running is one of the most affordable forms of exercise out there. You don’t need expensive equipment or a gym membership; it can be done anywhere. There is an array of apps and websites that can give you a running plan to get you started. If you find yourself in a rut, no longer finding joy in your daily run, consider improving your relationship with running by switching it up and trying one of the tips mentioned above. You’ll be pounding the pavement again in no time, but with a little spring to your step.
Resources:
http://www.active.com/running/articles/27-ways-to-run-better-every-day
http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/slideshow.asp?show=32
